davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Superstitions About Marriage

Three young society ladies whose
wedding had btcn announced to take
place within the past fortn ght were
obliged to have the proposed ceremony
indefinitely postponed Oh account Of
their illness. 1t is no wonder that many
yo. .ng ladies become i'll as the great day
for them draws near, as the amount Of
work they have to do in preparing for
the event is enough to wear them out en-
tircly. The worry and bother OF dress
making and constant shopping and the
incidental excitement might well pros
tratc delicate bride. Just think of the
dresses the young woman of moderate
ideas generally starts off with! Of course,
there's the wedding gown, upon which
no end of work is expended, then the
travelling frock for the tour. and, say
four morning dresses. with like num-
Der of tea gowns and reception toilets;
then hous, dresses and two tailor made
walking suits with one slightly more
elaborate for special occasions. This Is
only part of the outfit, for sndcrgar-
garments. household linen and the thou
sand and one ctceteras must be pre-
pared.
As the fall is the rushing season in the
marriage mart, it is well to recall on" or
two interesting supcrstitons that were
rcligiously noted in the time of our
grandmothcrs. In the first place. ac-
cording to an ancient and reliable chroni-
Gle, there arc th!rty-two days in the year
that are especially unluclky for mar,
riagcs and journeys. They a;e as loI
lows: January /, ., 4, 5, Z, 10 and ~;
February 6, and 8; March l, and s.;
April 6 and II; May 5, G and =; June 7
and IS! July 5 and 10; August Is and
IS: September and 7; October :; No
vember Is and 1G, rnl December Il, 16
and II. Everybody knows that Friday
is the most unlucky day for a wedding,
while Wednesday and Thursday arc the
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Fashion Notes.

Heavy braiding is much used on the
most stylish wraps this season.
Different shades of medium light blue
arc seen in ladies' cloth for su!tings.
Pinking on felt is still a pretty fashion
for a service lble bonnet or capotc.
Folds of silk, ribbon, woolcn, ETC., have
largely replaced linen collars and cuffs.
Ostrich tips of ribbon bows, arranged
with aigrettes, are still in vogue for the
hair.
The prettiest of the imported gowns
this season are the braided pattern
dresses.
A favorite color combination for
evening wear is dark golden-brown with
rose color.
In spite of many rivals, natural
pluckcd beaver retains much of its
former popularity.
Striped and figured plushes are re.
vived for skirts to be worn with cloth or
silk overdresses.
A toilet of black lace with accessories
of white moire antique is veTy distin-
guished looking.
The newest brocades have satin figures
sunk in repped grounds, and are usually
in striped designs.
Short visites with full, wide sleeves are
most favored for wraps OF Grape or othe'
mourning materials.
Colored pearls are among the most
beautiful of gems and just at present
are very fashionable for engagement jew
els.
The hussar jacket is favorite with
young girls and metal braid and bind
ing of fur combine to beautify the gar
Z ent.
Short wasted gowns are both pictur-
csoue and attractive for some slender.
graceful figures, while for any others
It is awkward and ungainly in the cx-
tremc.
The prcttiest possible sikcn fabrics
and the richest arc the figured nores on
which are brocaded figures in colors.
These make the most beautiful evening
dresses which are shown this season.
Cut work is a trimming which is very
popular with modistes for outer garments
matching costume. 1t is lad over vel
vet, and on cloth suits it has peculiar
ly appropriate effect.
The newest sleeve is made wide at the
ton, with small folds on the outer part
down to the elbow, from which point to
the wrist it gradually narrows, and IS
finished off by band and bow of rib
bon.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Ominous PIumes.

You remember, do you not, how all of
the ladies used to admire peacock
feathcrs2 Every boudoir contained a
bunch of them; every parlor was made
richer by their gorgeous tints. They
were even used now and then as border
to friezc, and they were fastened on
screens, painted on plaques, pinned on
curtains, and embroidered on chairs.
But now, go where you will, you will sec
no peacock feathers. They are banished
from hall and bower. Why2 Because
it has been decided that they bring bad
luck. Even fashion couldn't stand
against that. They had to 90. The
news spread rapidly, and every lady, sit
ting down to reckon up the beginning of
her bad luck, concluded that it was
when she bought her peacock feathers.
The ladies of the Woodruff Hotel held a
meeting and decided to bauish these
ominous plumes. So they all went. All
along the avenues the ladies followed
their example. The servants caught the
infection and refused to stay in house
where the exquisite but fateful feathers
were kept. So the comfort and peace
of mind of the vainest of birds is
restored, for he will be molested no more.
Chicago Tribune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Tie Best Posture In Sleep.

It would seem on the first blush of the
matter that the posture for-that is, to
favor-sleep must be generally the same
as that voluntarily or instinctively al
sumcd during sleep; but a little considea
alton will make it apparent that this I
not correct. 1t may be granted that, sup.
posing person to be sleeping lightly and
uncomfortably, the posture will be
changed half-consciously to one of COM
fort. 1t would be more correct to say
that it is changed in the endeavor to avoid
distress or discomfort; but even the fact
that sleep is quieter in the new position
will not suffice to prove that this is
better one, because the sleep may mean
while have become deeper. 1t is, on the
whole, impossible to ascertain, either by
experience or observation, which is the
posture most conducive to sleep, and
attempts to lay down rules, for the guild
ance of bad sleepers are always arbitrary,
generally empirical, and rarely of any
practical value.
Those who think "anHmia of the
cerebrum" is the cause of sleep, and
those who think that, though not the
cause, diminution in the quantity of
blood in the vessels of the encephalon is
a necessary concomitant of sleep, prefer
and recommend that the head should be
higher than the feet; while those who
adopt the opposite view and think pas
sive congestion causes or promotes SOM
nolence, would have the feet raised and
the head lowered. The confounding of
stupor with sleep may and probably has
something to do with these differences of
opinion. Meanwhile, a common-sen
view of the subject would conclude that,
as there is evidently some change in the
blood state when the brain falls asleep,
the best plan must seem to be to place
the body in such position that the flow of
blood through the vessels Of the head and
neck may be especially easy and free.
The way to secure this is to allow the
head to lie in posture and on level
that cannot offer any obstacle to the free
return of blood through the veins of the
neck, and does not tend to make the
blood flow specially in any particular
direction, but leaves nature at liberty to
act as she will.-Lancet.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
W0MAN'S WORLD.
PLEASANT LITERATURE FOR
FEMININE READERS
Women as Inventors.

Up to December IA, 1885, there bad
been granted to women by the United
States, letters patent for /, 935 in, entions.
This is, doubtless, good many more
patents than the public had thought had
been granted to women; yet there really
should have been more, and there would
have been if women would think more.
But then to do that they would have to
talk less, which could not be thought of
for moment. Seriously, the household
and other branches of women's work fur
nish large field for the exercise of their
inventive genius, and it begins to look
as though they would work it better in
the future than they have in the past.
Neither should it be overlooked that
they have invented many useful things
that have never seen the Patent Office,
and of which the world has never heard.
Woman is not in the habit of proclaim
ing her achievements with the blare of
trumpets.-Ameriean Manufacturer.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
A Thrilling Experience.

George Boxer lives on the Heights,
a suburb of this place, and his house il
well surrounded by orange trees. Yes
terday morning one of his children was
heard to scream loudly in the grove, and
a big house dog, hearing the noise, flew
to the child's relief. The mother heard
the child's cries, but at first supposed
the little one was playing, but as the
gaild did not soon return, she became
alarmed and ran out among the trees.
Coming upon the little one, about 200
Yards from the house, she almost tainted
at the sight before her. On slight
hillock lay her child, while coiled on its
breast, with head erect and tongue out,
was huge rattler. Its ominous rattle
sounded loud and warning, while its eyes
shot forth sparks of fire. as it slowly
turned its head around in circle keep
ing watch Of the dog, who trottcd slowly
around the snake keeping his eyes on the
reptiles basilisk eyes of fre--a low
growing and the upturning of his hair
showing his fear and anger. The snake
seemed to have fairly fascinated the dog,
the canine walked round and round the
reptile, slowly coming nearer, but all the
while growing as if knowing that
danger was near.
Brave Mrs. Boxer, seeing the life Of
her child at stake, picked up pine knot
and hurled it at the rattler, with rare
good luck striking it on the head and
knocking it away several feet. Rushing
forward she picked up the child and ran
10 the house. Her husband came up Mt
that moment and soon despatched the
reptile, which measured eight feet long
and was as large around as an average
mans arm at the shoulder. and sported
sixteen rattes and button. The dog
barkcd loudly when the snake was
knocked over, but did rot offer to bite
it, though generally furious at the sight
of one. For over an hour the dog con-
tinued its walk around the knoll till 1t
fell from exhaustion and was taken to
the house and given spirits. The dog
was not struck, but seemed charmed.
The child was not bit either, but has been
sick since from fright and nervous pros
tration. 1t was the largest rattler ever
killed in this section and has been
stu(Ted.-PalG'ka (FLa.) Nears.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
As to Women's Clubs.

It looks very much as if the day would
come when all the doings of womankind,
all their charities, works, studies would
be conducted in club. Nowadays
young ladies' do not think they can read
poetry, practice music, study art, visit
the sick, give charity to the poor except
by organizing themselves into clubs. 1t
can almost be said that lovely woman is
a club. A lot of lazy young ladies have
copied an English fashion and have
joined an Early Rising Society, pledging
themselves to abstain from lying in bed
later than six o'clock, and to perform
certain commendablc duties before
breakfast. A society that will trundle
a healthy young woman out of bed early
in the morning, and have h:r to make up
pan of rolls or an omclet for the family
breakfast table is worth twenty societies
for the study of Browning, and should
be encouraged heartily.-Meao Orleans
Pttayune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Hints for Housewives.

Keep o separate saucepan for boiling
potatoes in if possible. -
The oftener -four is sifted for sponge
cake the lighter the cake will be.
Sweep and dust once week the rooms
which do not daily receive this attention.
Put salt in the water to prevent black
calicoes from fading when they are
washed.
The water in which Goldfish has been
soaked is very good for washing the zinc
under the stove.
Keep your bread pans and pic dishes
free from ill flavor by always washing
them in hot water after using.
Fruit stains on white goods can be re-
moved by pouring boiling water directly
from the kettle over the spots.
If YOU want poached eggs to look par
ticularly nice, cook each egg in muffin
ring placed in the bottom OF saucepan
of boiling water.
. After buttering the tin for boiled
nudding dust it with pounded bread
crumbs; baking pans can be treated with
-four in the same way and the cake VIII
never stick.
Be very particular:about disinfecting
the kitchen sink. Washing soda, two
tablespoonfuls to a gallon of boiling
water. makes an excellent wash to pour
hot into the sink at night after you have
finished using it.
Women who do their own work regard
their rough hands with great distress.
To make and keep them soft wear old
gloves at night, just rubbing in ON oint-
ment made by beating the white OF an
egg to froth and stirring it into q cup
of melted lard to which is added one tea
spoonful of glycerine. Keep the mix
ture in a covered jar, excluding the light.
Perfume may be added.-Goaa Cheer.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
What Causes Men to Break Down.

Undoubtedly the brain is strong, and
is capable of doing great deal of work
and even in many cases of resisting the
bad treatment to which it is often sub
iccted, says DR.. William A. Hammond,
the eminent New York physician. 1t is
the undue exercise of the emotions that
breaks it down, and unfortunately the
work of the present day can scarcely be
accomplished without some ono or more
of the emotions being brought into IN
ordinate action, and, according to my
experience, the emotions that affects It
most injuriously is anxiety. At one
period of the worlds history love stood
prc- eminent in this respect, but in our
day love has had to retire before that
emotion, anxiety, which is developed in
the constant struggle for wealth and
fame and position, in which civilized
man is engaged.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Three Bear Stories.

A bear at Carter's ranch, near Mangus,
New Mexico, has killed more than 100
goats, and eludes all pursuers.
While choppng hollow tree, Sheriff
O'Rourke, of Ontonagon County, Michi-
gan, heard groans and found blood on
his axe. A moment later large bear
put its head out of the opening. The
Sheriff was surprised, but he killed the
bear.
In the mountains of Savoy, Italy, a
bear killed shepherd boy. His mother
determined to avengc him, and started
off with gun. She was found lying in
a Sc ,luded spot, her dress in rags, her
arms crushed, and her face covered with
blood. Beside her lay the body of a
huge bear, with its head torn to pieces
by charge from the woman's gun. The
woman will live.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Deer Against Dog.

Randolph County, Va, short time
ago was the scene of terrific fight be-
tween q deer, two men and dog, in
which the deer killed the dog, badly
wounded one of the men, and gored a
young steer so badly that it had to be
killed. Elisha Mcleod and Captain
Wamsley, sheep grazers, came upon the
deer while collecting their focks. The
animal, an immense stag, sleek, fat and
full grown, was quietly browsing with
some cattle on the hill side.
Neither of the farmers had gun, and
were too far from home to run the risk
of going to get one. While thinking
what to do, shepherd dog, that accom-
panied the farmers, gave chase to the
deer and brought it to bay after about
half miles run. When the farmers
came up the dog and deer were engaged
in fight. The deer was bleeding at
several parts where the dog had bitten
it, while the dog had deep wound in
the side, made by the horns of the deer.
Seeing the men approaching, the deer
started toward them, tossing his head in
rage. Elisha Mcleod was in his track
and was gored IN the side.
Before the animal could attack VANS
ley the dog had bitten him in the flank,
which brought him to the ground. In q
minute the deer was up, and darting at
the dog buried his horns in his body and
tossed him some distance. By this time
the men had clubs, and one of them felled
the stag to the ground, when it made a
second attack, badly wounding him.
They then went for gun and to attend
to the wound of Mcleod, who was bleed
ing p:ofusely. When Wamsley returned
he found that the deer had attacked a
two-year- steer and gored it so that it
had to be killed. One shot ended the
life of the stag, which was one of the
largest seen for years.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
HOUSEHOLD MATTERS.
About Jellies.

Jelly does not improve with age.
Jelly is said to be best when made in
small quantities at time. Almost all
jellies possess some medicinal properties,
or some use for which it is best adapted
in serving at table. Blackberry jelly is
incidentally used in complaints of the
summer, and that made from the black
currant is excellent for sore throat Miss
Leslie says, if eaten freely on the first
symptoms of the disease, it will fire.
quently check it without any further
remedy" Cranberry jelly is served with
roast pigeons, current with roast turkey,
apple with roast goose, etc., etc. It
would be difficult to find authority for
the use, inelegant use, of the abbreviated
word "jel!"-Eriphyk r. Whaang.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Making q Million In Ten Years.

sneak;ne about brain troubles, DR..
William A. Hamm md said to q New
York Mail and EYrsss reporter: ~
have in mind the case of man who,
after several years of hard work IN 9
small country town, had accumulated
about $1OO, 1000. With this amou 1t 81
money he might have been content, Tor
it made him the richest man In hi town,
but. actuatcd by an ambition to make
greater figure in the world and to accu-
mulate more wealth, he de:eimln ID to
move to New York and make 8! ,0)0, oou
in ten years, intending then to retire
from business and live life OF elegant
leisure. He spent his days in wall
street, his evenings in the corridors OF
hotels, carrying on there the work OF the
day, and going home near mldnlgnt 10
get only an hour or two of unrctreshing
sleop. At the end of ten years he hao
accumulated his million of dollars, not,
however, with ease and comfort to him.
self. but suffering from insomnia, pans
in his back, neuralgia in various parts OF
his body, dyspepsia IN ITS most asgia.
vatcl form, and other evidences that the
process of dsntcgration was gong. on
at greater rate than was rccupcratiQn.
He made his arrangements for retiring
from business, and gave dinner party to
celebrate the event. That night he ex-
hibitcd most unequivocal symptoms OF
mental arrangement. Insanity in one of
its most pronounced types was devel-
oned. and before the week was out he
was an inmate of lunatic asylum. He
had made his million dollars for other
pcoplc, for all he got out of it was his
board and clothes in an asylum for the
insane. Cases similar to tn s are of con-
slant occurrence, but they seem to pass
almost unheeded by those who ought to
take warning from them.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
How to Utilize Dried Apples.

They can be made palatable, and if you
happen to have quantity on hand, per-
haps you will be glad to try the follow
ing recipes: -...- -
Wash a pound of apples thoroughly,
place in o stewpan with cold water
enough to more than cover them Qet it
stand about one inch above them), set
on back of the stove, where the water
will heat very slowly; stir occasionally.
When the apples are very soft, and have
absorbed all the water they will take up,
add half cup of sugar, dessert spoon.
full of lemon essence, and one or two
eggs beaten until very light. Now make
nice le-crust, with which line as many
pie plates as You may wish to use; fill
with the dried apple and bake with one
crust. See if they are not good when
YOU remove them from the hot oven in
which you have baked them.
Dried Apple Pudding. Fix the dried
apples as above, leaving out the eggs;
have ready one and one-half pints
of stale bread crumbs soaked in cold
water, and beaten with q fork until free
from Jumps; add to these one or two eggs
and mix thoroughly, butter deep pud-
ping dish, place in it, first, layer
of bread crnmbs, then q layer of the
dried apple, so do until the dish is filed,
the first layer being one of bread.
Cover closely and bake in a moderate
oven until done Gtwill take about three
quarters of an hour). When done,
remove the cover and brown prettily.
You can beautify with meringue, by
saving out the whites of your eggs and
beating them up with tablespoonful of
sugar; spread over the pudding when
you remove the cover, in order to brown
it. Any liquid sauce is good with this
pudding, or it may be served with syrup
or sugar. If you haec dried orange skin,
you will find it great addition in point
of flavor; CRATE it into the stewpan OF
apple when you set it on the stove to
swell and soak. Should you use a guam
tity. the essence may be dispe nsed with.
Good housekeeping.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Gems for Society Bellies.

One of the sensations in Washington
society during the last season, says
letter to the New York Sun, was the ap-
pearance of q noted dealer in precious
stones, who created furor among the
ladies of the Cabinet and high officials,
and in social circles. He approached So
ciety with his gems from new direc-
tion---a social one. A handsome and
courteous gentleman himself, with a
beautiful wife, both accustomed to good
social usages, the diamond merchant was
able to reach the inner circles Of society.
He had quarters at the Arlington, and
within few weeks after his arrival he
h ID Washington ladies in fever of ex-
citcment over the splendid gems with
which he dazzled their eyes. and all the
husbands in Washington going down into
their pocketbooks, and wishing the Gin
cinnati merchant was in Jericho. When
the season closed nearly 5000, 900 had
passed into the pockets of the dealer in
precious stones, and rich and rare were the
gems that flashed upon many white
neck and arm in the great society crushes
of the latter part of the season, whose
owner had trusted before that to the
power of their own beauty unadorned.
One of the first of the many stories set
ahoat about the craze for gems was of
the purchase by the Whitncys of $780,
900 necklace. In the necklace were forty
stones, graded from the great center stone
each way to stones of the weight of
thistle down. All the diamond markets
in the world had been searched to ac
complish the graduation. Soon afterward
thu re was q story about some unpleasant
ness in the household of Western poll
tician of national fame on account of
loving wife opening letter to her hus-
band containing bill for diamonds
which she had never received, and there
were a good many explanations and
friends called in and peace patched up
by the purchase of more diamonds which
did 90 to the wife and not to some other
person.
1t was told of the wife of for West
crn Senator, tfat while sitting in the
parlor of hotel, after having sent up
her card to the wife of another Senator
living at the hotel, her attention was at
tractcd to little group of ladies gath
cred about the diamond merchant, who
had spread his wares on the piano for
their inspection. She listened to their
"ahs" and "ohs," and little screams of
ccstatic admiration, and then crossed the
room and joined the group. She handled
the gems with an appearance of inditfer-
ence blended with the air of connois-
sour. The other ladies, wives of Con-
gressmen and Government officials, stood
back respectfully, Finally she picked
up great carbuncle pendant set in q
double row of pearls and diamonds, and
said:
What do you value that at ?"
"Seventcen hundred dollars, " was the
reply. ,
The lady opened her reticule, took out
check book, made out check for the
amount, put the pendant in her pocket.
and calmly resumed her chair. She had
paralyzed that group of ladies, and at
the same time added another jewel to a
collection which is already one of the
richest owned by any American lady.